GREAT CROPS OF STRAWBERRIES AND HOW TO GROW THEM 
R. M. KelloKg Co., Three Rivers, Mich. 
39 
Helen Davis, B. (Male) 
EARLY TO LATE. Bisexual. We show here- 
witii two photo-engravings of this extraordinary 
variety to illustrate the two distinct types of fruit 
it produces. About three-fourths or the berries 
are of the top-shape, or perfect strawberry type, 
as shown at the left; the remainder are of the 
broad and less regular form as shown in the en- 
graving at the right. Both forms are beautiful 
and present a very attractive appearance when 
paclced together in the box. In color the fruit is a 
delicate subdued crimson, which extends through- 
out the berry. The seeds are so deeply imbed- 
ded in the flesh as to be almost invisible. In fla- 
vor the berries are in a class by themselves, its 
remarkable velvet quality giving to this variety 
a distinction all its own. Helen Davis has a well- 
developed bloom and is a very strong pollenizer. 
The foliage is light green and very large, and 
droops over the fruit so that every berry is pro- 
tected from the sun's hot rays; although not so 
heavy as to prevent suflficient sun and light to in- 
sure the perfect and even coloring of the fruit. 
In productiveness it surpasses all other varieties 
we ever have known, and it is not particular as 
to soils. We hope that no customer will fail to 
give this variety a fair trial in 1911. 
absolutely its own. When it comes to pro- 
ductiveness, no other variety ever developed 
can outyield it, and its capacity for endur- 
ance under trying circumstances shows it to 
be a marvel of vitality. In the spring of 
1910, while this variety was blooming, we 
had frosts every night for ten consecutive 
nights, and during this period rain fell in 
torrents. But in spite of all unfavorable 
weather conditions, the Helen Davis gave us 
a big crop of perfectly smooth berries. 
This variety has a very strong fruiting 
stem and the large berries grow in clusters. 
More fruiting stems are sent out from a 
single hill than we have ever seen produced 
by any other variety. The berry holds up 
well after picking, and the calyx rernains 
green and bright, indicating that it is to 
become a prime favorite with commercial 
strawberry growers. 
In a letter written us by the originator 
June 29, 1910, Mr. Davis says: 
In regard to the fruiting qualities of the Helen 
Davis strawberry, will say that it matures a larger 
crop of perfectly formed berries than any other 
bisexual variety I ever have seen. After going 
through the last season of record-breaking weath- 
er, in which snow, frost, and cloudy weather pre- 
dominated throughout the blooming period, it bore 
a fine crop of perfectly formed berries, while 
other varieties in the same field were very irreg- 
ular in shape and scant in yield. I have fruited 
the Helen Davis for five years and I like it bet- 
ter every year. . . , 
One of the best qualities of Helen Davis is the 
perfect smoothness of the berries; I never have 
seen any knotty berries grown by this variety. I 
have tested at least fifty other varieties, and nev- 
er have seen it surpassed in yield of perfect fruit, 
and the quality is excellent. 
As to the healthfulness of the plant, will say 
that I never have seen its equal in that regard. 
Never have I seen a sign of disease on it since its 
origination here. I have single plants which I 
transplanted last December that at this time a 
bushel basket will not cover. 
The runners are the easiest to manage of any 
plants I have grown— big, healthy runner wires 
lUst the right length. Comparing the Helen 
Davis with other varieties grown about me, I can 
say that while this has been a bad year on fruits 
of all kinds, I am very well pleased with my re- 
turns from Helen Davis. Other strawberry grow- 
ers in this county have scarcely any berries, while 
mine did very well, netting me very close to 
^00.00 per acre in the most trying season I ever 
have experienced. I am still picking some straw- 
berries and the vines will continue to bear until 
July 4th. Geo. W. Davis. 
Brazil, Indiana. 
Such an experience, covering five full sea- 
sons, is certainly a guarantee of the extraor- 
dinary value of this variety. We are in- 
deed proud to have the exclusive sale of this 
great strawberry, and considering the price 
we paid for our original stock of plants and 
the price always asked by introducers of 
new varieties, we feel that we are giving our 
